Earth sampling apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for sampling earth from the bottom of a hole. A tool is suspendedly mounted on a line wrappingly received by a drum connected to a motor by a clutch. The motor has a reversible output shaft which drivingly engages the drum when rotated in one direction. The clutch disengages the output shaft from the drum when the output shaft is rotated in an opposite direction. A switch is provided for reversing the motor when the tool impacts the earth and the line becomes slack. A second switch is provided for reversing the motor when the tool has been raised a predetermined height.

United States Patent 1191 Henson i 1 EARTH SAMPLING APPARATUS {75]Inventor: William P. Henson, Indianapolis.

Ind.

[73] Assignee: Mobile Drilling Company Inc..

Indianapolis, Ind.

[22] Filed: Nov. 29, I973 [21] Appl. No.: 420,105

Related [1.8. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.260.776. June 8,

1972, abandoned [52] US. Cl. 175/257; 173/87; 175/323 [51] Int. Cl E2Ib11/00; E21b 1/00 [58] Field of Search 173/82-89;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,833,120 5/l958 Barrett etal 173/89 2,926,000 2/1960 Allen 173/87 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS872,751 7/1961 United Kingdom 173/89 1 June 17, 1975 852,095 10/1960United Kingdom 173/87 Primary Examiner lames A. Leppink Attorney. Agent,or Firm-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt & Naughton 1 1 ABSTRACT An apparatusfor sampling earth from the bottom of a hole. A tool is suspendedlymounted on a line wrappingly received by a drum connected to a motor bya clutch. The motor has a reversible output shaft which drivinglyengages the drum when rotated in one direction. The clutch disengagesthe output shaft from the drum when the output shaft is rotated in anopposite direction. A switch is provided for reversing the motor whenthe tool impacts the earth and the line becomes slack. A second switchis provided for reversing the motor when the tool has been raised apredetermined height.

22 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTEDJUN 17 1975 PATENTEDJUN 17I975 89,765

SHEET 3 EARTH SAMPLING APPARATUS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONThis is a continuation-in-part of my U.S. patent application, Ser. No.260,776, filed June 8, 1972 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention isin the field of earth working devices.

2. Description of the Prior Art Earth samples are frequently requiredwhen drilling a hole into the earth. According to accepted standards,the taking of certain core samples must be done by dropping a hammer 30inches so as to force the sampling tool into the earth at the bottom ofthe hole. In the past, the sampling tool has been suspended by a linewrapped on a reel connected to the output shaft of a motor. By rotatingthe output shaft in one direction, the sampling tool is caused to raisewhereas reversing the motor output shaft allows the sampling tool tofall. The line frequently becomes snarled and whips as a result of thereversal of the motor output shaft and the simultaneous reversal of thereel rotation. That is, the tool and line do not play out from the reelat a sufficient speed. Disclosed herein is an overrunning clutch whichcouples the line reel to the motor so as to immediately disconnect thereel from the motor when the motor output shaft is reversed to lower thetool.

A representative sample of the prior art is disclosed in the followingU.S. patents:

U.S. Pat. No. 999,026 issued to H. H. Haight;

U.S. Pat. No. 1,038,877 issued to H. H. Haight; and,

U.S. Pat. No. 3,073,124 issued to J. Soler Nadal.

In the U.S. Pat. No. 2,584,328 issed to H. W. Cardwell et al., there isshown a drum which must be rotated at a proper rate to cause the tool tofollow the deepening bore hole. Many of the prior art devices utilizeratchets to control the direction of hammer movement such as disclosedin the U.S. Pat. No. 2,815,929 issued to A. Andreatta.

It can be appreciated that upon repetitive dropping of the hammer, thatthe sampling tool will be driven deeper into the hole on each impact ofthe hammer. Thus, if it is desired to always drop the hammer onlythrough a distance of 30 inches, then the starting point of each hammerdrop must be adjusted downwardly on each successive drop. This is quitetime consuming for the operator to measure and adjust the startingpoint. Disclosed herein is a mechanism for automatically controlling theheight of drop and the starting point for each drop. The mechanismassures that the hammer will be dropped exactly thirty inches on eachand every successive drop. In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,381,764 issued to N.L. Peterson, a pavement impact hammer which allows precise setting ofthe length of hammer drop is disclosed; however, the Peterson devicedoes not compensate for the fact that the hammer projects deeper intothe ground on each subsequent drop at the same location. The U.S. Pat.No. 2,833,120 issued to .I. L. Barrett et al.. discloses a device whichprovides for a constant length of hammer drop even though the sampler isdriven deeper into the ground with each succes sive blow. The Barrettdevice cannot be readily used in a hollow stem auger positioned withinthe hole. Several devices have been provided such as disclosed in theU.S. Pat. Nos. 2,659,584, 2,863,637, and 2,926,000

which allow the operator to control the hammer via fluid systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention is anapparatus comprising a frame, a tool, a drum rotatably mounted on theframe and having a line wrapped thereon connected to the tool, areversible motor mounted on the frame and having an output rotatable ina first direction for lifting the tool and rotatable in a secondopposite direction for allowing the tool to fall toward the earth, andclutch means mounted on the frame being operable to drivingly connectthe output to the drum when the output is rotated in the first directionand operable to disconnect the output from the drum when the output isrotated in the second direction allowing the drum to freely rotate inthe second direction by the weight of the tool.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedearth sampling apparatus.

It is the further object of the present invention to provide an earthsampling apparatus which prevents fouling of the tool line.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an earthsampling apparatus which provides for a constant hammer drop distance onsuccessive blows.

Related objects and advantages of the present inven tion will beapparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of atruck having the sampling apparatus incorporating the present inventionmounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the hoist assembly 15 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the crown sheave assembly 20 shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. Sis an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 ofFIG. 4 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a reduced end view of a portion of the crown sheave assemblytaken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of thearrows.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken along theline 7-7 of FIG. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the electrical circuitry for thesampling apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the preferred embodimentof the crown sheave assembly.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is an electrical schematic depicting the circuitry for the crownsheave assembly of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purposes of promotingan understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will nowbe made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specificlanguage will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless beunderstood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is therebyintended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrateddevice. and such further applications of the principles of the inventionas illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a truck havinga hoist assembly for raising and lowering a hammer and a sampling tool26 suspendedly mounted to line 21 which is connected to the hoistassembly. Mast 19 is mounted to the bed of the truck and has a crownsheave assembly 20 mounted to its top end. Line 2l is wrapped around adrum of hoist assembly 15. Line 21 then extends upwardly around reel ofcrown sheave assembly 20 and downwardly through hollow auger 27 and isconnected to sampling tool 26 which is positionable at the bottom of thehole being drilled by the auger. Hoist assembly 15 includes a motor 22having an output shaft 32 connected by clutch 24 to drum 23. Tool 26 israised a predetermined height by motor 22 and then dropped to the bottomofthe hoie drilled by hollow auger 27. Tool 26 fall ing under the forceof gravity will pass through the hollow auger and past the bottom end ofthe auger thereby driving into the bottom of the hole for obtaining asample of the earth. The tool may then be raised by the moln'the past,line reels or capstans have been used to raise the drop hammer and tothen drop the hammer by placing two or three coils of rope or wirearound the capstan and by the operator pulling the rope or wire tightand then loosening it to give first the lifting and then the droppingaction. This procedure is quite dangerous since the line frequentlywhips. The present invention avoids this problem in that the operator isnot required to touch the actual lifting line.

Motor 22 is reversible having an output shaft rotatable in a firstdirection for causing drum 23 to rotate so as to reel in the linethereby lifting the tool. The motor may be reversed so as to causerotation in a sec ond opposite direction of the output shaft. Rotationof the output shaft in the second opposite direction causes clutch 24 todisconnect the motor output shaft from the drum allowing the drum tofreely rotate in the second direction under the weight of the samplingtool. The tool will then fall towards the bottom of the hole. The motor,clutch and drum are mounted to the bed or frame of the truck.

A variety of different types of motors may be utilized for motor 22.Excellent results have been obtained by utilizing a reversible hydraulicmotor such as disclosed in US. Pat. No. Re. 25,291 which is availablefrom the Char-Lynn Company of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Such a motor hasa flow passage through which pressurized fluid may be directed so as tocause rotation of the output shaft. By forcing the pressurized fluid inone direction through the passage, the output shaft will rotate in afirst direction whereas by forcing the pressurized fluid in an oppositedirection through the passage will result in the output shaft rotatingin a second opposite direc tion. Motor 22 is mounted to flange 31 ofbracket secured to the truck bed. The motor includes a mounting flangethrough which conventional fasteners extend so as to secure the motor toflange 31. The tapered out put shaft 32 of motor 22 extends through reel23 and has a hex nut 33 mounted to the distal end of the shaft. Nut 33protrudes outwardly from the sides of shaft 32 forming a stop surface38. Member 34 connects the output shaft of the hydraulic motor to clutch24. Member 34 has a rod portion 35 which extends into the inner race 39of clutch 24 being connected thereto by fastener 35'. A base 36 isintegrally connected to rod portion 35 and has a flange portion 37connected thereto. A collar 40 is provided with a tapered hole 41complementary to the tapering configuration of shaft 32. Shaft 32extends through hole 41 of collar 40 with fastening devices 42 securingcollar 40 to the flange portion 37. Collar 40 abuts against surface 38of hex nut 33 thereby preventing the collar from disengaging shaft 32.Recess 43 formed beneath base 36 receives nut 33. Shaft 32 may beconnected to nut 33 by means such as a cotter pin 44. Collar 40 isdriven by tapered shaft 41 through a square key 41' received by collar40.

Clutch 24 is a sprag-type overrunning clutch which is connected to drum23 and motor 22. The inner race 39 is connected by member 35 to outputshaft 32 whereas the outer race 44 of the clutch is connected to drum23. The drum is mounted on the outer race by a plurality of conventionalfastening devices 45. Spragtype overrunning clutches are quite wellknown and such a clutch is described in paper number 57-A l66 availablefrom the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 29 West 39th Street,New York, New York, which is entitled The Sprag-Type Overrunning Clutchwhich is hereby incorporated by refernce. Likewise, the US. Pat. No. Re.25.291 disclosing motor 22 is also hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged cross sectional view taken along theline 7--7 of FIG. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows showingthe inner race 39 of clutch 24 positioned within the outer race 44. Aplurality of movable sprag elements 46 are positioned between the outerand inner race. Rotation of the race in one direction causes elements 46to wedge between the outer and inner race forcing the outer race torotate in unison with the inner race. In the event that rotation of theinner race is reversed, then elements 46 become unwedged and the outerrace is free to rotate or to remain stationary without influence fromthe inner race. Thus, the clutch is operable to drivingly connect theoutput of the motor to the drum when the output is rotated in a firstdirection and likewise is operable to disconnect the output of the motorfrom the drum when the output is rotated in an opposite directionthereby allowing the drum to freely rotate.

The sampling tool 26 slowly accelerates when dropped to the bottom ofthe hole being drilled by auger 27. It is therefore necessary to slowlyincrease the rotation of the drum to prevent the sampling tool line frombecoming fouled on the drum. In some of the prior art devices, the motoris connected directly to the drum with the result that reversal of themotor causes an immediate reversal of the drum at a relatively highrotational speed. Thus, the sampling tool line unwinds from the drum ata slower rate than is required to prevent the line from fouling on thedrum. By utilizing the device disclosed herein, the drum is allowed toslip with respect to the reversing output shaft of the motor immediatelysubsequent to reversal thereby allowing for the relatively slowacceleration of the drum preventing the sampling tool line from becomingfouled thereon.

Drum 23 includes an end wall 46' which is secured to the outer race ofthe clutch by fasteners 45. A cylindrical wall 47 connected to wall 46'is provided to wrappingly receive line 21. The opposite end of wall 47is connected to a wall 48 parallel to wall 46' which is bearinglyreceived by hub 49 of motor 22. Block 50 is connected inward of wall 48by fastener 51 and is provided with an opening 52 to lockingly receivean end of line 21 so as to prevent the disengagement of the linecompletely from the drum. A suitable aperture is provided in wall 47 toallow line 21 to extend therethrough so as to wrap around the outersurface of the drum. A source of pressurized fluid is connected to motor22 with suitable valves being provided so as to control the flow offluid to the motor for the raising and lowering of the tool. The fluidvalves may be either manually operated of alternatively automaticallyoperated. In one embodiment, manually operated electrical switches wereprovided for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to the motor.Thus. when the tool impacts the earth, one switch may be activated tocause the pressurized fluid to be routed through the motor for reversingthe motor output shaft and causing the hammer to be lifted. The secondswitch is manually activated after the hammer is raised the desiredheight thereby reversing the fluid through the motor and allowing thehammer to drop.

Crown sheave assembly is mounted to the top of mast 19 and includes areel rotatably mounted to bracket 53 secured to the mast. FIG. 5 is across sectional view of the crown sheave assembly shown in FIG. 4. Reel25 includes a disc shaped wall 56 having a holder 57' mounted to thecircumferential edge thereof for receiving line 21. Disc 56 is securedto ring 56 by conventional fastening devices. Ring 56' is rotatablymounted by bearings 58 to axle 59 secured to bracket 53 by aconventional hexagonally shaped nut 60 threadedly received by one end ofthe axle. A pair of thrust washers 61 and 62 are positioned on axle 59on either side of bearing 58 and ring 56'. Thrust washer 61 ispositioned immediately adjacent bracket 53 whereas thrust washer 62 ispositioned immediately adjacent ring 56' and flange portion 63 of axle59. The axle has a reduced diametered portion 64 immediately adjacentflange portion 63. Portion 64 receives a pair of spaced apart electricalinsulators 65 and 66. A normally sta tionary plate 67 is positionedbetween and held by insu lators 65 and 66. A helically wound spring 68is received on portion 64 between nut 69 and washer 70. Nut 69 isthreadedly received by the axle. The spring normally urges theelectrical insulators 65 and 66 together so as to releasably hold plate67.

An electrical contact 71 is mounted to ring 56' by fastener 72. A secondelectrical contact 74 is mounted to plate 67 by fastening device 75.Contact 74 will touch the distal end 73 of contact 71 as reel 25 isrotated on axle 59. A third contact 76 mounted to insulator 66 byfastener 77 continuously touches surface 78 of plate 67. Contact 76 isconnected to wire 78 which extends through the hollow center of axle 59.Contact 71 is grounded through reel 25, axle 59, the crown sheaveassembly and mast l9. Wire 78 is connected to a suitable source ofelectrical energy. As a result, contact 76 is connected to a source ofelectrical energy and continuously touches plate 67 having contact 74thereon. Thus, contact 74 is connected to a source of electrical energyand will ground the source whenever contact 74 touches contact 71.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5 andviewed in the direction of the ar rows. A pair of bumpers 80 and 81 arerespectively mounted to the surface 83 of plate 67 and surface 84 ofwall 57 secured to ring 56'. Both bumpers are spaced radially the samedistance from the axis of axle 59. As reel 25 rotates, bumper 81 willeventually contact bumper causing the normally stationary plate 67 torotate with reel 25. Cover 20' (FIG. 5) is secured to reel 25 forenclosing the contacts and associated mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the electrical circuitry for thesampling apparatus. A source of electrical energy is connected throughan on/off switch 91 to contact D. Solenoids M and N are connectedrespectively to contacts E and C and are operable to direct the flow ofpressurized fluid through the hydraulic motor. Contacts E and C arepositioned immediately adjacent contact D and are normally open withrespect to contact D. Relay coil X is connected across contacts B and Gwhich are connected respectively to ground potential and switch .1.Closure of switch J applies electrical energy to coil X which results incontact D touching contact C thereby energizing solenoid N. Likewise,contacts H and A are connected across relay coil Y which is connected toground potential and switch K. Closure of switch K results in theapplication of electrical energy to relay coil Y which causes contacts Eand D to close thereby activating solenoid M. Switch J representscontacts 71 and 74 shown in FIG. 5.

After the sampling tool has been dropped to the bottom of the hole, thecircuitry of FIG. 8 provides for the automatic raising of the hammer apredetermined height and then the subsequent dropping of the hammertowards the bottom of the hole. In one embodiment, the samplingapparatus would lift the hammer 30 inches. In this same embodiment, reel25 was provided with a circumference of approximately 32.7 inches. Thus,by rotating the reel 330, approximately 30 inches of line was raisedsince 330/360 times 32.7 equals 30 inches. Stationary plate 67 is set soas to allow contact 74 to touch contact 71 after rotation of the reelthrough 330. When contact 74 touches contact 71, switch I is closedthereby energizing coil X which establishes contact through terminals Cand D. Coil X and contacts C and D are included in a latching relay.Solenoid N is thereby energized reversing the flow of pressurized fluidthrough the hydraulic motor and causing the output shaft to rotate in adirection opposite to that for lifting the hammer. Clutch 24 therebydisconnects the reel from the motor and the hammer is allowed to fallunder the force of gravity towards the bottom of the hole. Theacceleration of the hammer is controlled by the free reeling drum 23.

The weight of the hammer forces the tool past the bottom of the holedrilled by the hollow auger thereby causing the hammer to fall adistance greater than 30 inches. As the hammer moves downwardly morethan 30 inches. bumper 81 contacts bumper 80 causing the normallystationary plate 67 to rotate with the reel. Movement of the normallystationary plate compen sates for the distance the hammer is drivenbeyond the 30 inch free fall. As a result, contact 74 is automaticallyreset for the next 30 inch lift.

Bail 90 (FIG. 2) is pivotally mounted to plate 91 connected to flange31. Bail 90 includes a pair of vertical spaced apart rods 92 connectedto a horizontal bar 93. Rods 92 are pivotally mounted to rod 94 which issecured to wall 91. Rod 93 is spring biased in the direction of arrow 95against line 21 by spring 96 secured to one of the rods 92 and wall 91.An electrical switch K is mounted to wall 91 and has an actuator arm 97con tactable by rod 93. As the sampling tool comes to rest, line 21 willbecome slack. Spring 96 will therefore urge rod 93 against actuator arm97 closing the contacts of switch K. Closure of switch K (FIG. 8)energizes relay coil Y which results in the closure of contacts D and Ethereby activating solenoid M and causing the flow of fluid to be routedthrough the motor in such a manner so as to lift the sampling tool.

Switch K plus bail 90 provide a first switch means which is operable toconnect motor 22 to a source of energy for driving the output shaft 32in a first direction. The bail is biased against the line so as to bemovable in order to activate the switch K in response to the linebecoming slack. The second switch means is mounted to the crown sheaveassembly and is operable to cause the motor to rotate output shaft 32 ina second direction opposite of the first direction. The second switchmeans includes a pair of contacts 71 and 74 which are in electricalengagement at least once for every revolution of the reelv A normallystationary plate 67 provides a means for controlling the length ofheight the hammer is raised. The controlling means is operable to causeactuation of the switch J upon raising of the sampling tool apredetermined height.

Drive means are mounted on the truck and connected to the hollow stemauger and are operable to rotate the auger. Such a drive means isdisclosed in the commonly owned US. patent application, Ser. No.165.197. Filed July 22. l97l and entitled HOLLOW AUGER-DRIVER COUPLINGPROVIDING CON- TINUOUS ACCESS FOR CASE SAMPLING, Said patent applicationis assigned to Mobile Drilling Company, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana.Said patent application is hereby incorporated by reference. Another useof the subject invention would be for driving posts.

The preferred embodiment of the crown sheave assembly is shown in FIGS.9 and 10. Crown sheave assembly 100 is mounted to the top of mast 19 inlieu of the crown sheave assembly 20. Assembly 100 includes a reelrotatably mounted to bracket 53 secured to the mast. Reel 25 includes adisc shaped wall 101 having a holder 57' mounted to the circumferentialedge thereof for receiving line 21. Disc 101 is rotatably mounted toaxle 102 by bearings and is prevented from moving axially on axle 102 byshoulder 103 and nut 60 for securing axle 102 to bracket 53.

Axle 102 has a reduced diametered portion 105 which receives a pair ofspaced apart electrical insulators 106 and 107. A normally stationaryplate 108 is mounted on portion 105 between insulators 106 and 107.Plate 108 is movable when bumper 109 is forced against bumper 110.Portion 105 extends centrally through a helically wound spring 111. Thespring normally urges the electrical insulators 106 and 107 to gether soas to releasably hold plate 108. Spring 111 abuts brush holder 112 whichis secured to portions 105 by a fastening device.

A pair of electrical wires 113 and 114 extend through the center of axle102 and are connected respectively to carbon brushes 115 and 116 fixedlymounted to holder 112. A pair of brass slip rings 117 and 118 aremounted to slip ring holder 149 secured within switch housing 1 19 byfastener 120. Housing 119 is secured to disc 101 by fasteners 121. As aresult. rotation of disc 101 causes slip rings 117 and 118 to rotateabout the longitudinal axis of stationary axle 102. Brushes and 116 arein electrical contact with slip rings 117 and 118 providing electricalcontinuity from wires 113 and 114 through brushes 115 and 116 to sliprings 118 and 1 17.

Raise contact 122 is mounted by fastener 123 to ring holder 149 and iselectrically connected by wire 124 to the raise slip ring 117. Likewise,drop contact 125 is mounted to ring housing 149 by fastener 126 and iselectrically connected by wire 127 to the drop slip ring 1 18.

Grounding contact 128 is mounted to plate 108 by fastener 129. Groundingwire 130 is connected to brush holder 112 by fastener 131. The oppositeend of wire 130 is mounted by fastener 132 to insulator 106. Plate 133is also mounted to insulator 106 by fastener 132 with contact 134mounted to the distal end of plate 133. Contact 134 is in contact withplate 108 thereby grounding plate 108 through plate 133 and wire 130.Bumper 109 is mounted to the distal end of plate 108 whereas bumper 110is mounted to disc 101. As disc 101 completes one revolution, bumper 110will contact bumper 109 thereby forcing plate 108 to rotate with disc10].

The electrical circuitry for crown sheave assembly 100 is shown by theschematic in FIG. 11. A source of electrical energy 135 is connected toa toggle switch 136 which has a manual and automatic position. Bythrowing toggle switch 136 to the manual position, a second toggleswitch 145 may then be moved to one of two positions in order toactivate solenoid 138 for raising the sampling tool or for activatingsolenoid 139 for lowering the sampling tool. Solenoids 138 and 139 areconnected to the hydraulic lines connected to motor 15. Indicator 137will light whenever toggle switch 136 is in the manual position. Bymoving toggle switch 136 to the automatic position. electrical energy isrouted to the control coils 140 and 141 of a magnetic latching relayhaving a contact 142 movable against fixed contacts 143 and 144connected respectively to solenoids 138 and 139. Raise contact 122 whenmoved against grounding contact 128 will activate relay coil 140 therebylatching contact 142 against contact 143 and activating solenoid 138.Likewise, when drop contact 125 is moved against grounding contact 128,coil 141 is activated thereby latching contact 142 against contact 144and activating solenoid 139. The schematic shown in FIG. 11 is but arepresentation of one of the many circuits which may be utilized withthe present invention.

Movable plate 108 is provided with a slot 147 (FIG. 10). Groundingcontact 128 is mounted to plate 108 by fasteners 129 which extendthrough slot 147 thereby allowing the operator to manually adjust thegrounding contact to different locations along the length of slot 147.The height of the hammer lift may be controlled by controlling thecircumferential distance between drop contact 125 and grounding contact128. Likewise, a slot 148 is provided in ring holder 149. Raise contact122 is mounted by fastener 123 to holder 149 with fastener 123 extendingthrough slot 148 thereby allowing the operator to manually positioncontact 122 along the length of slot 148. The amount of cable slack maybe controlled by controlling the distance between contact 122 andgrounding contact 128.

The hammer and sampling tool are raised until drop contact 125 touchesgrounding contact 128 thereby shifting solenoid valve 139 and causingreversal of motor 15. The hammer then starts to drop. Raise contact 122will eventually touch grounding contact 128 thereby activating raisesolenoid 138 and causing the motor to start to reverse. While the motoris revers ing, the hammer continues to fall. Eventually, the hammer willstrike ground with bumper I10 contacting bumper 109 and rotating plate108 through an angle to compensate for the distance the sampling tool isdriven into the groundv By this time, motor has reversed and has startedto raise the hammer repeating the cycle.

In the event that crown sheave assembly 100 is utilized in lieu of crownsheave assembly 20, then switch K and bale 90 (FIG. 2) are not utilized.Motor 15 is identical when used with crown sheave assembly 100 with theexception that items 92, 93, 96, 97 and switch K are eliminated.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatoniy the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and thatall changes and modifications that come within the spirit of theinvention are desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. Art apparatus for raising and then dropping a tool comprising:

a frame;

a tool;

a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a line wrapped thereonconnected to said tool;

a reversible motor mounted on said frame and having an output rotatablein a first direction for lifting said tool and rotatable in a secondopposite direction for allowing said tool to fall toward the earth; and.

clutch means mounted on said frame being operable to drivingly connectsaid output to said drum when said output is rotated in said firstdirection and having means operable to disconnect said output from saiddrum when said output is rotated in said second direction allowing saiddrum to freely rotate in said second direction by the weight of saidtool and without retardation by said output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said drum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with saidoutput of said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch;

said clutch includes a first race upon which said drum is mounted andfurther includes a second race connected to said output of said motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

first switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connectsaid motor to a source of energy for the driving of said output in saidfirst direction, said first switch means having an actuator biasedagainst said line and being movable to activate said switch means inresponse to said line becoming slack.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said actuator includes a pivotally mounted bar spring biased againstsaid line; and,

said first switch means includes an electrical switch operable andcontactable by said bar when said line becomes slack.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

a hollow tube extending the length of said hole, said tool being movablethrough said tube by rotation of said drum.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising:

a spiral flight fixedly attached externally on said tube forming ahollow auger.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:

second switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to causesaid motor to rotate said output in said second direction; and,

control means mounted on said frame and being operable to causeactuation of said second switch means upon raising of said tool to apredetermined height.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

said second switch means includes an axle mounted on said frame with areel rotatably mounted on said axle for receiving said line, said secondswitch means including a first electrical contact mounted on said reeland a second electrical contact mounted on said axle, said first contactis in electrical engagement with said second contact at least once everyrevolution of said reel; and,

said control means includes a projection on said reel and a normallystationary member rotatably mounted on said axle having said secondelectrical contact thereon, said member has a protruding portioncontactable by said projection once per revolution of said reel forcingsaid member to rotate therewith repositioning said second electricalcontact.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

said normally stationary member is a plate, said control means includesa stationary contact touching said plate and an electrical insulatormounting said plate to said axle.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said clutch means includes an overrunning clutch connected to said drumand said output of said reversible motor.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein:

said overrunning clutch is a sprag-type clutch with a first race uponwhich said drum is mounted and with a second race connected to saidoutput of said motor, said clutch includes a plurality of movable spragelements positioned between said first race and said second race,rotation of said second race in said first direction causes wedging ofsaid elements between said first race and said second race forcing saidfirst race to rotate in unison with said second race in said firstdirection.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein:

said first race is an outer race and said second race is an inner race,said drum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with saidoutput of said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein:

said motor is a hydraulic motor and said source of en ergy is a sourceof pressurized fluid and further comprising:

valve means connected to said motor being operable to control the flowof fluid to said motor for the raising and lowering of said tool.

14. The apparatus of claim l3 and further comprising:

a hollow auger rotatably mounted to said frame and through which saidtool passes to the bottom of the hole drilled by said auger,

15. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising:

first switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connectsaid motor to a source of energy for the driving of said output in saidfirst direction, said first switch means having an actuator biasedagainst said line and being movable to activate said switch means inresponse to said line becoming slack;

second switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to causesaid motor to rotate said output in said second direction; and,

control means mounted on said frame and being operable to causeactuation of said switch means upon raising of said too] to apredetermined height.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 and further compris ing:

switch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connect saidmotor through a source of energy for the driving of said output in saidfirst direction and thereafter for the driving of said output in saidsecond direction, said switch means being operable to connect said motorto a source of energy for driving said output in said first directionprior to said tool impacting earth.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 and further comprising:

an assembly mounted on said frame and including a rotatable reelreceiving said line, said switch means being mounted on said assemblyand including a pair of contacts mounted on said reel and connected to asource of energy, said switch means further including a normallystationary grounding button contactable by said contacts.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 and further comprising:

a normally stationary member rotatably mounted to an axle receiving saidreel, said normally stationary member having said grounding buttonmounted thereon and further includes a protruding portion, said reelincludes a projection contactable against said protruding portion onceper revolution of said reel forcing said normally stationary member torotate therewith repositioning said grounding button.

[9. An apparatus for raising and lowering a sampling tool into a hole inthe earth to obtain a sample of earth from the bottom of the holecomprising:

a frame;

a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a line wrappedthereon;

a reversible motor mounted on said frame and having an outputconnectable to said drum with said output and said drum being rotatablein a first direction and a second opposite direction;

clutch means mounted on said frame being operable to drivingly connectsaid output to said drum when said output is rotated in said firstdirection to reel in said line and having means operable to disconnectsaid output from said drurn when said output is rotated in said seconddirection allowing said drum to freely rotate in said second directionindependently of said output with said line unwrapping on said drum;and,

sampling means connected to said line operable to drive into the bottomof a hole in the earth obtaining a sample of earth when said output isrotated in said second direction and said sampling means is lowered intothe hole.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein:

said clutch means includes an overrunning clutch connected to said drumand said output of said reversible motor.

2]. The apparatus of claim 20 and further comprising:

said overrunning clutch is a sprag-type clutch with a first race uponwhich said drum is mounted and with a second race connected to saidoutput of said motor, said clutch includes a plurality of movable spragelements positioned between said first race and said second race,rotation of said second race in said first direction causes wedging ofsaid elements between said first race and said second race forcing saidfirst race to rotate in unison with said second race in said firstdirection.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

said first race and said second race is an inner race, said drum ispositioned between said clutch and said motor with said output of saidmotor projecting through said drum to said clutch.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPATENT NO. 3,889,765 DATED June 17, 1975 INVENTOR(S) William P. HensonIt is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In column 12, line 42 change [said first race and] to -Fl.i.d first raceis an outer race and-.

Signed and' Scaled this twenty-sixth Day of August 1975 [SEAL] RUTH C.MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer ('nmmissr'um'r ufParenIs andTrademarks

1. An apparatus for raising and then dropping a tool comprising: aframe; a tool; a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a linewrapped thereon connected to said tool; a reversible motor mounted onsaid frame and having an output rotatable in a first direction forlifting said tool and rotatable in a second opposite direction forallowing said tool to fall toward the earth; and, clutch means mountedon said frame being operable to drivingly connect said output to saiddrum when said output is rotated in said first direction and havingmeans operable to disconnect said output from said drum when said outputis rotated in said second direction allowing said drum to freely rotatein said second direction by the weight of said tool and withoutretardation by said output.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: saiddrum is positioned between said clutch and said motor with said outputof said motor projecting through said drum to said clutch; said clutchincludes a first race upon which said drum is mounted and furtherincludes a second race connected to said output of said motor.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: first switch means mountedon said frame and being operable to connect said motor to a source ofenergy for the driving of said output in said first direction, saidfirst switch means having an actuator biased against said line and beingmovable to activate said switch means in response to said line becomingslack.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein: said actuator includes apivotally mounted bar spriNg biased against said line; and, said firstswitch means includes an electrical switch operable and contactable bysaid bar when said line becomes slack.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 andfurther comprising: a hollow tube extending the length of said hole,said tool being movable through said tube by rotation of said drum. 6.The apparatus of claim 5 and further comprising: a spiral flight fixedlyattached externally on said tube forming a hollow auger.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: second switch means mountedon said frame and being operable to cause said motor to rotate saidoutput in said second direction; and, control means mounted on saidframe and being operable to cause actuation of said second switch meansupon raising of said tool to a predetermined height.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7 wherein: said second switch means includes an axle mounted onsaid frame with a reel rotatably mounted on said axle for receiving saidline, said second switch means including a first electrical contactmounted on said reel and a second electrical contact mounted on saidaxle, said first contact is in electrical engagement with said secondcontact at least once every revolution of said reel; and, said controlmeans includes a projection on said reel and a normally stationarymember rotatably mounted on said axle having said second electricalcontact thereon, said member has a protruding portion contactable bysaid projection once per revolution of said reel forcing said member torotate therewith repositioning said second electrical contact.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein: said normally stationary member is aplate, said control means includes a stationary contact touching saidplate and an electrical insulator mounting said plate to said axle. 10.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said clutch means includes anoverrunning clutch connected to said drum and said output of saidreversible motor.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein: saidoverrunning clutch is a sprag-type clutch with a first race upon whichsaid drum is mounted and with a second race connected to said output ofsaid motor, said clutch includes a plurality of movable sprag elementspositioned between said first race and said second race, rotation ofsaid second race in said first direction causes wedging of said elementsbetween said first race and said second race forcing said first race torotate in unison with said second race in said first direction.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11 wherein: said first race is an outer race and saidsecond race is an inner race, said drum is positioned between saidclutch and said motor with said output of said motor projecting throughsaid drum to said clutch.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein: saidmotor is a hydraulic motor and said source of energy is a source ofpressurized fluid and further comprising: valve means connected to saidmotor being operable to control the flow of fluid to said motor for theraising and lowering of said tool.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 andfurther comprising: a hollow auger rotatably mounted to said frame andthrough which said tool passes to the bottom of the hole drilled by saidauger.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13 and further comprising: firstswitch means mounted on said frame and being operable to connect saidmotor to a source of energy for the driving of said output in said firstdirection, said first switch means having an actuator biased againstsaid line and being movable to activate said switch means in response tosaid line becoming slack; second switch means mounted on said frame andbeing operable to cause said motor to rotate said output in said seconddirection; and, control means mounted on said frame and being operableto cause actuation of said switch means upon raising of said tool to apredetermined height.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11 and furthercomprising: switch means mounted on said frame and being operable toconnect said motor through a source of energy for the driving of saidoutput in said first direction and thereafter for the driving of saidoutput in said second direction, said switch means being operable toconnect said motor to a source of energy for driving said output in saidfirst direction prior to said tool impacting earth.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16 and further comprising: an assembly mounted on said frame andincluding a rotatable reel receiving said line, said switch means beingmounted on said assembly and including a pair of contacts mounted onsaid reel and connected to a source of energy, said switch means furtherincluding a normally stationary grounding button contactable by saidcontacts.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 and further comprising: anormally stationary member rotatably mounted to an axle receiving saidreel, said normally stationary member having said grounding buttonmounted thereon and further includes a protruding portion, said reelincludes a projection contactable against said protruding portion onceper revolution of said reel forcing said normally stationary member torotate therewith repositioning said grounding button.
 19. An apparatusfor raising and lowering a sampling tool into a hole in the earth toobtain a sample of earth from the bottom of the hole comprising: aframe; a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a line wrappedthereon; a reversible motor mounted on said frame and having an outputconnectable to said drum with said output and said drum being rotatablein a first direction and a second opposite direction; clutch meansmounted on said frame being operable to drivingly connect said output tosaid drum when said output is rotated in said first direction to reel insaid line and having means operable to disconnect said output from saiddrum when said output is rotated in said second direction allowing saiddrum to freely rotate in said second direction independently of saidoutput with said line unwrapping on said drum; and, sampling meansconnected to said line operable to drive into the bottom of a hole inthe earth obtaining a sample of earth when said output is rotated insaid second direction and said sampling means is lowered into the hole.20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein: said clutch means includes anoverrunning clutch connected to said drum and said output of saidreversible motor.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 and further comprising:said overrunning clutch is a sprag-type clutch with a first race uponwhich said drum is mounted and with a second race connected to saidoutput of said motor, said clutch includes a plurality of movable spragelements positioned between said first race and said second race,rotation of said second race in said first direction causes wedging ofsaid elements between said first race and said second race forcing saidfirst race to rotate in unison with said second race in said firstdirection.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: said first race andsaid second race is an inner race, said drum is positioned between saidclutch and said motor with said output of said motor projecting throughsaid drum to said clutch.